Children scaling the roof of a disused research station and a mindless vandal attack on a wheelbarrow used to sell fruit were reported to Cambridgeshire police.

In Hemingford Road, St Ives during the night of Saturday, October 22-23 criminal damage was caused to a wheelbarrow outside a house.

Police were told the barrow is used to sell fruit to passers-by on an “honesty basis”, and the culprits damaged apples that were in the barrow, a plastic box used to hold coins, and a sign advertising the fruit.

Meanwhile in Houghton Hill, police received a report of young people trespassing in the grounds of the disused Houghton Grange research station at 5pm on Saturday, October 29.

Police were called to the scene but were stood down before they arrived as the youngsters had scarpered.

A spokesman said: “Up to six children believed to be aged between 12 and 14 had been seen climbing on the roof of the building. However, they had then been seen leaving the site so police attendance was not required.”

To report a crime call the Cambridgeshire force’s non-emergency number 101.